Stanhay seed-spacing drill

Stanhay seed-spacing drill with electrical seed belt indicator

This design won the Precision Root Drill Competition in 1953. The furrow is opened by the chromium plated coulter. Closing the furrow behind the drill is done by a drag chain and the spring loaded rear wheels of the unit. The latter may be had in conical form for working on a ridge and it provides the drive for the mechanism. Seed falls from the 7 pint hopper, via an opening which is adjustable, into the Perspex fronted container. Here it is kept in a state of turbulence by the contrary motions of the belt and repellor wheel to ensure that each hole in the belt picks up only one seed. Different types of seeds or spacing are created for by changing the belt. In the top left hand corner the movement of the belt actuates an impulsing switch which monitors the action of the mechanism, and each unit keeps one lap flashing one the panel in front of the tractor driver, so long as all is well. When the seed is nearly at an end the green warning lamp on the panel goes out automatically.